2004 Suzuki Forenza Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Suzuki Forenza, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1416.7%
- Exterior lighting1315.5%
- Electrical1011.9%
- Airbags67.1%
- Brakes67.1%
- Driver assistance67.1%
- Body & structure56.0%
- Transmission44.8%
- Interior & seats44.8%
- Other / unspecified44.8%
- Fuel system33.6%
- Suspension22.4%
- Tires & wheels22.4%
- Powertrain (other)22.4%
- Steering11.2%
- Seat belts11.2%
- Heating & air conditioning11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA AND THIS CAR IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT OVER HEATS EVERYONE I DRIVE IT WHICH IS DAILY. IT STARTS ONLY WHEN THE MOTOR IS SOMEWHAT COOL. THIS CAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. LIKE AT THE MOMENT THE CAR HAS OVER HEATED AND I'M PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF HWY 26 HEADING TO PORTLAND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAT TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND UPON ITS RETURN WITHIN DAYS THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE STEERING IS A MESS. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD I'VE TAKEN IT TO LESSCHWAB 4 TIMES GOTTEN TWO ALIGNMENTS WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND STILL CAR DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT. I'VE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET,,STARTER,BATTERY,TIRES, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. THIS IS NOT AD DEPENDABLE CAR. I'M 60 MILES FROM HOME AND WONDERING HOW I'M GONNA GET BACK HOME. THANK YOU SUZUKI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,520. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. CHECKED CALLED MECHANIC. DROVE INTO HIS GARAGE. CALLED AROUND FOR PARTS. COULDN'T FIND ANY FOUND SWITCH IN CA. TOOK TIME. NO CAR. REPLACED COMBINATION SWITCH, HEAD LIGHT MODULE. LABOR AND INSTALLED HEAD LIGHT MODULE, COMBINATION SWITCH AND REPAIRED MELTED WIRES. 6 HRS. FOR LABOR $70. HR. TOTAL AMOUNT W/ TAXES $452.03 THIS WAS BEFORE RECALL NOTICE. AND KNOW PARTS TO BE FOUND. MOTHER-IN-LAW SENDING OUT THE INFO. RECEIVED FROM SUZUKI $89.26. NOT WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE HEADLIGHTS FAILED TO ACTIVATE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS REQUIRED TO ACTIVATE AND DRIVE WITH THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO VIEW THE ROAD. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V262000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE STARTER, BATTERY, AND INSPECTED THE ALTERNATOR; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF UPDATED 04/12/17 LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED AN UPDATE.*JS *TR
WHEN INSERTING KEY THE LOOK FELL INSIDE THE DOOR (NOTE: THIS PROBLEM WAS SUBJECT TO AN NHTSA RECALL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED)
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PAM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGES AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. SHE CALLED THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT WAS REFERRED TO HER INSURANCE AGENCY. THE CONTACT HAS A COPY OF THE POLICE REPORT AND PICTURES OF THE FAILED INCIDENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2004 IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL IN A QUICK SUDDEN COMES TO A QUICK STOP AS THOUGH SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES,WHILE ON A MAJOR ROAD WAY. DANGEROUS IM SCARED TO DRIVE THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BEGAN SMOKING WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. THE STEERING SUSTAINED BURNS. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS. SHE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 15, 2007 AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. CURRENTLY, WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE UNTIL JANUARY 16, 2008. THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 27, OR 28, 2007 BECAUSE THE SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING. NONE OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE WORKING. SHE RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE HARNESS IN THE SWITCH AND THE WIRES. THEY DID THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE SINCE FEBRUARY 10, 2008. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,791 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2004 IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL IN A QUICK SUDDEN COMES TO A QUICK STOP AS THOUGH SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES,WHILE ON A MAJOR ROAD WAY. DANGEROUS IM SCARED TO DRIVE THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK. SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. CHECKED CALLED MECHANIC. DROVE INTO HIS GARAGE. CALLED AROUND FOR PARTS. COULDN'T FIND ANY FOUND SWITCH IN CA. TOOK TIME. NO CAR. REPLACED COMBINATION SWITCH, HEAD LIGHT MODULE. LABOR AND INSTALLED HEAD LIGHT MODULE, COMBINATION SWITCH AND REPAIRED MELTED WIRES. 6 HRS. FOR LABOR $70. HR. TOTAL AMOUNT W/ TAXES $452.03 THIS WAS BEFORE RECALL NOTICE. AND KNOW PARTS TO BE FOUND. MOTHER-IN-LAW SENDING OUT THE INFO. RECEIVED FROM SUZUKI $89.26. NOT WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN INSERTING KEY THE LOOK FELL INSIDE THE DOOR (NOTE: THIS PROBLEM WAS SUBJECT TO AN NHTSA RECALL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REACHED FOR THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE AND IT DETACHED IN ITS ENTIRETY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE REVVED, IT WAS RACING, AND THE RPM GAUGE RAN HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WILL HESITATE AT ANY SPEED. THERE WILL BE A LOSS OF POWER, AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN POWER WENT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. THIS HAPPENED EVERY TIME WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THEY SAID THE ECM HAD TO BE REFLASHED. DEALER DID THE WORK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE THEN. *AK ENGINE CHECK LIHT CAME ON, AND VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN HIGHER WHEN COLD OUTSIDE. *AK
DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAREND. NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. DEALER COULD FIND NO PROBLEM , CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK. THEN, DEALER SAID PROBLEM WAS COMING FROM THE FIREWALL OR THE ASHTRAY, THE SECOND TIME, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY THE CONSUMER, DID NOT RECEIVE PAPER WORK, WHEN CONSUMER RECEIVED PAPER WORK IT STATEDTHAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE RUSTED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BEGAN SMOKING WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. THE STEERING SUSTAINED BURNS. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2007, THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR THREE WEEKS. SHE RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE ON DECEMBER 15, 2007 AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. CURRENTLY, WHEN THE LIGHT SWITCH IS TURNED OFF, IT WOULD COME BACK ON. THE DEALER HAD THE VEHICLE UNTIL JANUARY 16, 2008. THE VEHICLE WENT BACK TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 27, OR 28, 2007 BECAUSE THE SWITCH WAS NOT WORKING. NONE OF THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL OR EXTERIOR LIGHTS WERE WORKING. SHE RECEIVED THE VEHICLE BACK ON FEBRUARY 10, 2008 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE HARNESS IN THE SWITCH AND THE WIRES. THEY DID THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY WITH THE DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE SINCE FEBRUARY 10, 2008. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE STILL TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,791 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE HIGH BEAMS AND ALL OF THE INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS DIMMED AND THE RADIO SHUT OFF. SHE PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND THE LOW BEAMS ILLUMINATED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES LATER. WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS FINALLY ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE FLOOR HARNESS HAD BURNED OUT FROM THE FRONT TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V452000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) WAS REFERENCED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 32,445. UPDATED 02-19-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS DID NOT DIM BUT WENT OUT. THE DEALER STATED AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK INOPERABLE. UPDATED 02/14/08 *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRES DEFLATED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEELS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR
FRONT STRUT MOUNTS & BRAKING SYSTEM ARE BAD ON 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. WENT TO SEVERAL SHOPS TO GET THEM INSPECTED AND EVERY SHOP FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM WAS EVEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND A HAZARD TO DRIVE. RESEARCHED AND MANY CONSUMERS ONLINE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. THE CAR SHAKES AND THE STRUTS WIGGLE AND HARD TIME BREAKING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING MY SUZUKI FORENZA 2004 IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE AND ALL IN A QUICK SUDDEN COMES TO A QUICK STOP AS THOUGH SOMEONE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKES,WHILE ON A MAJOR ROAD WAY. DANGEROUS IM SCARED TO DRIVE THE ONLY TRANSPORTATION I HAVE
I PURCHASED A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA, STICK SHIFT NEW. AT OR ABOUT 12,000 MILES IT STARTED TO CUT OFF AFTER DECELERATING TO EITHER MAKE A TURN OR ENTER THE INTERSTATE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I'VE TAKEN IT TO TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WITH THE HOPES THAT THEY COULD FIND AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SO FAR THEY HAVE FAILED IN THEIR ATTEMPTS. THE CAR STILL CUTS OFF AFTER IT BEEN RUNNING FOR AWHILE WHEN YOU'RE STOPPING OR SLOWING DOWN AND THE CLUTCH IS DEPRESSED. IN THESE INSTANCES I HAVE TO EITHER STOP THE CAR IF I'M COMING TO A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO RESTART OR IF I'M TRYING TO ENTER A BUSY HIGHWAY I HAVE TO COME OFF THE CLUTCH TO RESTART. I DON'T THINK THIS IS HOW A NEW CAR IS SUPPOSE TO DRIVE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AS I'M LEAVING WORK AND ATTEMPTING TO ENTER INTERSTATE 95 WHICH IS BUSY, AS I'M SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER THE CAR CUTS OFF AND ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I'VE HAD TRACTOR TRAILERS BEHIND ME ACCELERATING TO ENTER AS WELL AND ALL I CAN IMAGINE IS THEM SLAMMING INTO MY REAR. CERTAINLY FRIGHTENING. HAS THERE BEEN ANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OF THIS NATURE SO THAT I CAN TAKE THIS INFORMATION TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PERHAPS LEND THEM A HAND IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEM BEFORE I'M SERIOUSLY HURT? THE CAR ONLY HAS ABOUT 23,000 MILES AT THE PRESENT. THANKS IN ADVANCE FOR YOU HELP IN ANYWAY. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
FRONT STRUT MOUNTS & BRAKING SYSTEM ARE BAD ON 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. WENT TO SEVERAL SHOPS TO GET THEM INSPECTED AND EVERY SHOP FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM WAS EVEN TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND A HAZARD TO DRIVE. RESEARCHED AND MANY CONSUMERS ONLINE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS. THE CAR SHAKES AND THE STRUTS WIGGLE AND HARD TIME BREAKING. *TR
STRUT ASSEMBLY OF VEHICLE HAS AN INCH OF VERTICAL PLAY, HENCE VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE ALIGNED. VEHICLE IS 2004 SUZUKI FIRENZA. HAVE ADDRESSED ISSUE WITH 3 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND NONE CAN AGREE ON WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ONE EVEN STATED THAT WAS NORMAL FOR VEHICLE. CALLED MANUFACTURER IN BREA CA, AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. FURTHERMORE I WAS REFUSED THE RIGHT BVTO SPEAK TO MANAGEMENT PERSON. SINCE MY VEHICLE CAN'T BE ALIGN, I HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE VEHICLE HAS HANKOOK OPTIMO, SIZE P195/55R15-84V TIRES (NA). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY WERE MANUFACTURED IN CHINA. THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,480. UPDATED 12/12/2007 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES HAD A FRAYING PROBLEM AND WERE ROTATED AT THE DEALERS SUGGESTION. UPDATED 12/12/07
TIRES OF NEW SUZUKI FORENZA WORE PREMATURELY. CAR HYDROPLANED ON A NIGHT WHEN IT WAS DRIZZLING AT A SPEED OF APPROX 35 MPH DURING LIGHT BRAKING INTO A SHALLOW CORNER. THIS RESULTED IN THE CAR LEAVING THE ROADWAY OUT OF CONTROL AND OVERTURNING. DRIVER WAS SHAKEN BUT APPARENTLY UNINJURED ALTHOUGH IS UNDER CARE OF A PHYSICIAN AS A RESULT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED DUE TO THE ROLLOVER. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE SPEEDOMETER PROVIDED AN INACCURATE READING OF ZERO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER RESET INDEPENDENTLY BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEEDS OF OVER 70 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
CAR HAS TROUBLE STARTING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. JULY 2007 TOOK CAR IN WITH 'HARD START" PROBLEM. THEY FOUND RESONATOR ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. THAT REPAIR WAS DONE ON AUGUST 3, 2007. CAR RAN FOR APPROX. 2 MONTHS AND WE TOOK IT BACK IN OCTOBER WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND THE SAME "HARD START" PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE STARTER OCTOBER 18, 2007 AND STATED IT WAS ARCING TO HIGH. TOOK CAR BACK OCTOBER 21, 2007 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. OCTOBER 26, 2007 THE ECU COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. TOOK CAR BACK TO SHOP OCTOBER 29, 2007 WITH THE SAME "HARD START" PROBLEM. MOVED THE CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP NOVEMBER 7, 2007 AS NO ONE WAS WORKING ON THE CAR. THIS WAS SUGGESTED BY THE CORPORATION. A REPAIR WAS DONE ON THE CAR. DECEMBER 13, 2007 TOOK CAR BACK TO THIS DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME "HARD START" PROBLEM. THEY CHECKED THE CODE AND RESET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. DECEMBER 18, 2007 RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY REPLACED THE ENGINE WIRING HARNESS. JANUARY 25, 2008 THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME "HARD START" PROBLEM AND IS SITTING IN THE YARD. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA AND THIS CAR IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM. IT OVER HEATS EVERYONE I DRIVE IT WHICH IS DAILY. IT STARTS ONLY WHEN THE MOTOR IS SOMEWHAT COOL. THIS CAT HAS LEFT ME STRANDED MANY TIMES. LIKE AT THE MOMENT THE CAR HAS OVER HEATED AND I'M PULLED OFF THE SIDE OF HWY 26 HEADING TO PORTLAND. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAT TO MY MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES AND UPON ITS RETURN WITHIN DAYS THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE STEERING IS A MESS. THE CAR IS ALL OVER THE ROAD I'VE TAKEN IT TO LESSCHWAB 4 TIMES GOTTEN TWO ALIGNMENTS WITHIN A 2 MONTH PERIOD AND STILL CAR DOESN'T DRIVE RIGHT. I'VE REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET,,STARTER,BATTERY,TIRES, THE LIST GOES ON AND ON. THIS IS NOT AD DEPENDABLE CAR. I'M 60 MILES FROM HOME AND WONDERING HOW I'M GONNA GET BACK HOME. THANK YOU SUZUKI
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 7/14/04 MY DAUGHTER ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE A REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT IN A 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA. SEAT BELT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE, AND SHE MOVED TO ANOTHER LOCATION IN VEHICLE. ON 7/16/04 SHE WAS AGAIN A REAR PASSENGER IN SAME VEHICLE. AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED BY FAULT OF A RED LIGHT RUNNER. SHE WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. WITNESS AND MY DAUGHTER STATE SHE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ONCE AGAIN CHANGE SEATS AS THE SEAT BELT WAS DIFFICULT TO LATCH (RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE). THIS VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN ACCIDENT AND IS NO LONGER IN USE. VEHICLE WAS OWNED BY A FRIEND. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2004 SUZUKI FORENZA FROM A SUZUKI DEALER IN TUCSON ARIZONA ON 05/21/04. FROM THE FIRST DAY WE DID NOT FEEL THAT A/C WAS WORKING CORRECTLY AND WAS COOLING AFTER A APPROX 30 MIN DRIVE. I BOUGHT A TEMP GAUGE TO CHECK THE VENT TEMP AND THE READING WILL NOT GO LOWER THEN 50F. ALL DRIVER'S SHOULD KNOW THAT A NICE COLD A/C SHOULD REACH 40F AT ITS BEST PERFORMANCE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FREON WAS LOW AND HAVE CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. THE A/C WORKED GOOD FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND STARTED PERFORMING THE SAME AS BEFORE. SECOND TIME, I TOOK THE DEALER TECHNICIAN WITH HIS DIGITAL TEMP READER ON A DRIVE. THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS 106F AND THE VENT TEMP WAS 48F. PLEASE NOTE WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP THE CAR WAS RUNNING FOR MORE THEN 30 MINS. DEALERSHIP REFERRED TO THE SUZUKI TECH LINE AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE A/C. THERE EXPLANATION WAS THAT IF THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS 99F THEN THE VENT TEMP SHOULD BE HIGHER THEN 50F AND AS IT WAS 106F OUTSIDE, YOUR A/C IS WORKING FINE. THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR OR REPLACE A SHODDY, CHEAP AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. PLEASE CHECK ALL ITEMS ON THE CAR PRIOR TO BUYING A SUZUKI AUTOMOBILE. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .